Moreh, a town in Manipur bordering Myanmar, has been placed on high alert as security forces launch an offensive operation to tackle rising tensions and flush out suspected militants. At least 200 Assam Rifles personnel were airlifted to the town to aid in the effort.
The urgency to bolster security measures comes after a recent escalation in attacks that claimed the life of sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), Moreh, Chingtham Anand Kumar. In two separate attacks, Kumar was killed, and three constables from a reinforcement team sustained gunshot injuries. These incidents have heightened concerns about the presence of militants in the border town, located 110 kilometers from Imphal.
An anonymous senior officer involved in the operation stated, “The additional personnel were air-lifted, and some were sent by road as part of counter-terror measures. They are engaged in identifying militants who may be hiding in the town or may have crossed into India from the Indo-Myanmar border. Assam Rifles is collaborating with other agencies in the counter-terror operations.”
The significance of the Assam Rifles’ involvement lies in their dual responsibility of guarding the Indo-Myanmar border and their active intelligence efforts in Moreh, particularly in the Kuki-dominated Tengnoupal district.
Security forces are intensively searching for militants believed to be involved in fueling tensions in the northeastern state. Earlier this week, security forces apprehended 32 Myanmar nationals in Moreh, with ten subsequently sent to the Foreigners Detention Centre for further investigation.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), currently investigating the ethnic clashes that have led to at least 178 deaths in Manipur since May 3, has pointed to the involvement of terror groups from Myanmar and Bangladesh in exacerbating the violence.
In a related development, security forces conducted a surprise inspection at three militant camps in Moreh, which were found to be deserted, raising concerns. These camps, housing the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and Kuki National Army (KNA), both militant outfits, operated under a suspension of operations (SoO) agreement.
An unnamed official revealed, “The joint search operations were conducted by police, Border Security Force (BSF), India Reserve Battalion, and Assam Rifles. Surprisingly, the camps were empty, and the investigation is ongoing.”
The SoO agreement, signed in August 2008 by the Centre and the Manipur government with 25 Kuki militant groups, confines the cadres of these groups to designated camps. Their weapons are stored in secure rooms under a double-locking system, and they are provided with minimal arms for camp security.
It should be noted that the Manipur government withdrew from the SoO agreement with KNA in March of this year, further complicating the situation.
The security situation in Manipur remains highly sensitive, with authorities taking all necessary actions to restore peace and security to the region.
Sources By Agencies
